Trimming table



May 7,1929. R. B. TAYLOR 1,712,126

' 1 TRIMMING TABLE Filed Dec, 14,1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l lnm I v INVE TOR. arl/zt ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 7, 1929.

1,712,12 PATENT orr cs,

Ronnnr BROOKS TAYLOR, or ,Ki rAA, KA'UAI, TERRITQRY or HLAWAIJQVZQASSIGVNOR TO HAWAIIAN oaivi nnins COMP Y, L'IIL, or 'KAPAA, KAUAI, TERRITORY or HAWAII, A CORPORATION or awAii.

TRIMMING TABLE.

Application filed December 14, 1826. Serial No. 154,703.

This invention relates to cannery machin cry, and particularlypertains to a trimming or peeling table. t v x At the present time (in cannery aperations it is customary to prepare fruit for canning in the preparation of pineapples where it is necessary to inspect the pineapples "and remove imperfections therefrom after they:

have been cut into cylindrical shape and their cores have been removed. This operation is usually performed by persons skilled in trininiingthe fruit-,which fruit is usually delivered to the triinn'iing tables on endless conveyors. The use of endless conveyors has of necessity made it probable that the fruit will be inyured as they travel along the conveyors and when they are held in check on the conveyors and in front of the trimming tables. It :is also necessary that the operator shall pick up the fruit tor trimming and in doing so the fruit is often squeezed and mashed so that it cannot be used first :grade fruit. Other objections to this method of operation is the possibility oi iuisanitary conditions on the coni eyor.,the large amount of space required fort-he trim mine; tables and the lack ofconvenience in the feed and irregulartrimming operations. it is the principal ob ect oi the present invention, theretorc, to provide a trimming table which will continuously present articles to be trimmed or peeled to the trimming operati'irs without possibility that the arthe delivery devices for trimming. Fur

ther advantages of the present invention are the possibilities tor complete SitllltitlilOIL of the structure, the small space required/101' the trimming table, delivery devices and the operators, the convenience in feet'lnltlld the convenience in operation which may becarried on irrespective of thesdelivery periods of fruit.

The invention is'illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing the complete machine with which the present invention is concerned and the complete trimming table with which present invention is concerned. by hand peeling or trimming, as for example carried thereby. i

shaft '15.

of thedr-awingr. l

manner in which the articles of fruit may be removed lrom tlieydelivery devices.

Figure 2 is :a view in plan showing the the manner in which the articles of fruit are l igurelt is an enlarged view in transverse section, disclosing the meansby which the articles of: fruit are washed after they leave the tr1miningtahle andare delivered to other icanneryimachinery. I Reterringniore particularly to the drawings: 10 indicates a feed chute leading from some type of fruit preparing device, itbeing understood that the present invention may i applicablefor 'use in the preparation of various fruits for canning, but that the dravings show it used byway of example in the preparation of pineapples. The chute 10 'in thepresent instance leads from a pine apple cutting "machine of the :general type known as the Ginaca machine, in which the pineapple is cutlongitudinally into cyl- :inders and the core is punched. out, leaving a "central cylindrical opening lengthwise of the cylinder, The fruit thus shaped travels endivise down the chute 10 and to the triniming table 11. This tableis formed in three complementary units,.a central rotary unit 19 onto which the fruit is delivered from the chute l0, *cir-cuniscrihingfixed trimining table 18 anda surrounding travelling conveyor 14- for receiving the trimmed fruit. The central delivery table 12 is disposed horizontally and is fixed upon a vertical I This shaft is mounted at its lower end in a suitable thrust bearing 1.6 and at its upper end in a suitable bearing/17. The

shaft fitted with a worm gear 18 at its upper end and this gear is in mesh with a worm pinion 1 9 driven by shaft 20. The shaft 20 maybe directly connected with a driving motor or ,may be vdriven through a belt and a pulley 21 as indicated'in Figure The upper surfaceof the table '12 is con-i vex to a point near its outer edge, where a raised margin 22 is {formed to hold the articles of fruit upon the delivery table l2, even though thetable is rotating andsome centrifugal action is set up in the fruit due to this rotation.

Mounted around the shaft 15 near its center is a hub flange 23 which is concentrically positioned'with relation to the hub so that when articles of fruit are delivered from the chute 10 onto the table and alongside the hub the fruit will be given an outward motion while striking the hub flange 23 and will gradually roll outwardly over the convex face of the delivery table-l2 to the edge oi the table where it will be temporarily carried as indicated at- (r in Figure 1. Cir cumscribing the rotary delivery table 12 is the lixed trimming table This table is rigidly supported in a slightly inclined. horizontal position upon overhanging arms 2 1 which extend outwardly and downwardly and are secured by bolts 25 to this superstructure of the table, which includes the legs 26. Formed at intervals through the trimming table and symmetrically spaced around the table are trimming openings 27' through which the discarded trimmings may fall and may thereafter be carried away in a manner which will be presently described.

Extending beneath the fixed trimming table 13 are radial arms 28 which are secured to the delivery table 12 and move therewith. There are a plurality of these arms as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2 ofthe drawing. These arms carry scraper; blades 29, commonly known as squeegee blades. These blades extend downwardly into a fixed circular trough 30, which is dis posed beneath the trimming table and also beneath the outer portion of the delivery table and the final feed conveyor 14. By this means the trimmings and the fruit juices will be gathered beneath the trimming table and will be continuously carried away. An opening 31 is formed through the trough 30 at one point in its floor to permit the refuse material to be ejected from the trough and delivered to a drain chute 32.

Gircumscribing the circular trimming table 13 is a circular final conveyor 14. This conveyor is in the shape of a ring supported upon the outer ends or the radial arms 28 and at a level slightly lower than that of the trimming table 13. This conveyor receives the trimmed fruit and carries it around to a discharge device A retaining wall 34: circumscribcs the complete trimming table and the outer conveyor 14 and tends to hold the fruit onto the outer conveyor 14 in the event that there is a tendency for it to be thrown off. The discharge device 33 is disposed tangentially to the path of travel of the fruit on the discharge conveyor 14: so that the fruit will pass into this conveyor and then be delivered to suitable canning machinery such for example as a slicer. Mounted within the discharge device 33 are spray tubes 33, as indicated in the enlarged view of F igure 1. This acts to wash the fruit on all sides and will thus not only cleanse it from extraneous dirt, but will also free it from small trimmings which have adhered thereto.

By reference to Figure 3 of the drawings it will be noted that the outer lip of the delivery table 12 and the plane surface of the trimming table 13 are in substantially the same horizontal plane. It will be further evident that the outer edge ol. the trimming table 13 is slightly bevelled and that the supporting surface of the conveyor 1d on a lower plane than the plane of the table thus making itfpossiblc tor the cylindrically shaped fruit to be readily rolled from one of the tables to the other without necessitating that the operator shall pick up the fruit and mutilate it.

Mounted at suitable points around the table are work g benches, 36, carried by an adjustable support 3'5. This support eutcnds inwardly and downwardly beneath the table and through guide members 38 and 39 mounted upon the legs 26 of the table. Pins 40 and 41 are carried by each of the guide members and form a lock for the member 37 which extends between them. The upper edge of the supporting member 37 is serrated and the serrations may be brought to regis ter with the pin 41 so that the bench may be disposed at the desired height.

By reference to Figures 1 and 3, it will be see. that the lower end of the chute 10 and the hub flange 23 are supported by hang; ers 38' and 39' respectively, which are mounted. upon sleeves 4-0 and ll resting on collars carried by the shaft 15. In this manner the table is free to move beneath the hub flange 23 and the curved end (it the chute. After the fruit has been properly prepared for delivery to the trimming table it is placed in the chute 10 and allo ved to travel down the chute to the arcuate portion circumscribing the hub flange 23. The bottom of the chute 10 is o Jened alon its len 'th circuinseribing the hub flange 23 so that the fruit is disposed directly on the delivery table 12 in an endwise movement. delivery table rotates in the direction oi the arrow 7), as indicated in Figure 1, the fruit will be carried circumferentially along the flange 22 and will be forced. outwardly by this flange, as well the centrifugal action setup by the rotation of the table. The cylindrical articles of fruit will then roll out wardly and accumulate around the edge of. the table 23 and will be held. onto the table by the outer rim or lip 22. In this manner it will be seen that a substantially continuous row or stream of the articles to be trimmed will be carried upon the table end to end but that they will be motionless with relation to the table after having come to rest along the outer edge thereof and will therefore be As the carried without possibility of bruising,

mashing or other damage which mightiibe done by fr ctional contact between the truitv and ,a relatively moving table or conveyor. The continuous stream of =fru1t w1ll thus be continuously presented to the operators who are seated at the benches around the trimming table and 1t 18 poss ble for them to anstantly roll one ofthe articles oi itruit off of the delivery table 12 and onto thetrimmine table 13. l his operation is clearly indicated at a in Figure 1. The fruit may thus rest upon the table and may be readily manipulated by the trimming operator without necessitating that it shall be picked up and mashed orbruised in the handlingoporation. As the fruit is trimmed, the trimmings may be dropped through the openings 27 in the trimming table and into the circular trough or launder 30. The fruit may then be rolled outwardly over the lip of the stationary trimming table 13 and deposited upon the final conveyor 14. Here it will be carried along a circular path of travel until it encounters the discharge device T is fruit will then pass end-wisethrough this discharge device and will pass: through a spray of water. In the 1neanti1ne, the trim minus which have fallen inthe laundcrllO will be caught by the moving blades 29 I and torced forwardly to the discharge opening i ol.

It will thus "be seen that by the structure here disclosed it is )ossibletoura )idlf deliver articles of fruit to a trin'nning table and to carry them there lronr and to provide means whereby the fruit may be trimmed without being; lifted from the table and without being thus bruised or damaged and a complete structure which is conven-v ient in its operation, sanita y and eliicient. ll hile I have shown the preterred form of my invention, as nowlrnown to me, it will be understood that var-1011s changes may be made 111 the combination, construction and arrangement of parts without departing it'rom the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desirepto secure byLet ters Patent 1s- 1. A device of the character described,

ing the fixed working table, said device 'beingsecuredlto the rotary table and delivering articles onto :the ro a point next to its center whereby fll'UClQS' device being secured to the rotary [rotary table, a fixed working table circumscribing said rotary table and being disposedon substantially the same plane therewith, a final conveying device ,circumscrih ing :the fixed working table, said conveying.

device being secured to the rotary table and moving in unison therewith.

3. A device of the character described,

comprising a horizontally disposed circular otary table, a,fixedwvorking table cn'cum- Lung said rotary ,table and being d1sposed .on substinrtially the same plane therewith, a final conveying device cireumscribinethe fixed Workin table s id convevin t) l?! 7 .1 '3

device bcilfig secured to the rotary table and moving;- in unison therewith, and means for a point nearits center whereby articles will be carried wlt-h the 'rotarytable; during its movement.

rotary table, fixed working table circum scribing said rotary table and being- CliS posed on substantially the same plane thereicu-mscrib- ,conveynig with, a final conveying device-c moving in unison therewith,- and means for table at will be carried with the rotary table during delivering articles onto the rotary table at i 4t. A'device of the character described; comprising a horizontallydisposed circular its movement, and means for receiving articles deposited onto the final circu1nscribmg conveyor. Y a

5. A device of the character described,

comprising a horizontally disposed circular rotaryitable, a fixed working, table circumscribing said rotary table and being disposedcn substantially the sanie plane there with, a final conveying device circums ibing the fixed workingtablc,ysaid eonwying lie and moving in unison therewith who 'cby articles may be readily rolled across the various tables to feed conveying device, and means for delivering articles ontothe rotary table at a pointnear its centcrwvbereby articles will be carriediwith the rotarytable during its movement.

GJA device. of the character: described,

comprising ahorizontally disposed circular continuously rotating table, a circumscribannular working table disposed around the rotary table and in substantially the plane thereof, said working table being formed withopenings at intervals through its top, a circular trough beneath the working table to receive material which may drop through the openings therein, and means carried by the rotary table and extending beneath the working table whereby the material in the trough will be scraped and discharged therefrom, and a circumscribing final conveyor positioned around the working table and fixed to move in unison with the rotary table.

7. A device of the character described, comprising a horizontally disposed circular continuously rotating table, a circumscribing annular working table disposed around the rotary table and in substantially the plane thereof, said working table being formed with openings at intervals through its top, a circular trough beneath the working table to receive material which may drop through the openings therein, and means carried by the rotary table and extending beneath the working table whereby the material in the trough will be scraped and discharged tl'iereironi, and a circumscribing final conveyor positioned around the working table and fixed to move in unison with the rotary table, and a retaining ledge circumscribing the final conveyor whereby articles deposited on the final conveyor will be caused. to travel in a circular path in unison therewith.

8. A device of the character described, comprising a horizontally disposed circular continuously rotating table, a circumscribing annular working table disposed around the rotary table and in substantially the plane thereof, said working table being formed with openings atintervals through its top, a circular trough beneath the working table to receive material which may drop through the openings therein, and means carried by the rotary table and extending beneath the working table whereby the material in the trough will be scraped and discharged therefrom, and a circumscribing final conveyor positioned around the working table and fixed to move in unison with the rotary table, and a retaining ledge circumscribing the final conveyor whereby articles deposited, on the final con veyor will be caused to travel in a circular path in unison therewith, and means for delivering articles onto the table adjacent its center.

9. A device of the character described, comprising a horizontally disposed circular continuously rotating table, a circumscribing annular working table disposed around the rotary table and in substantially the plane thereof, said working table being formed with openings at intervals through its top, a circular trough beneath the work ing table to receive material which may drop through the openings therein, and means carried by the rotary table and extending beneath the working table whereby the material in the trough will be scraped and discharged therefrom, and a circumscribing final conveyor positioned around the working table and fixed to move in unison with the rotary table, and-a retaining ledge cir euinscribing the final conveyor whereby articles deposited on the final conveyor will be caused to travel in a circular path in unison therewith, and means for delivering articles onto the table adjacent its center.

10. A device of the character described, comprising a circular horizontally disposed table, the upper face of which is convened, a retaining ledge formed around the periphery of said rotary table, means for continuously driving the table, means for depositing articles upon the table adjacent its center, and a horizontally disposed stationary working table eircumscribing the rotary table and being in substantially the same horizontal plane therewith, and a final conveyor circumscribing the working table and fixed to move in unison with the rotary table.

11. A device of the character described comprising a series of concentrically ar ranged circular tables disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane, the innermost of said tables and the outermost of said tables moving in unison in said plane, and an intervening table being fixed with relation thereto and filling the space between the two moving tables whereby an article may freely roll from a point of delivery on the innermost table and across the fixed table to the outermost table, means for delivering artices to a point adjacent the center of the innermost table, means for ejecting articles from the outermost table and means for retarding the outward movement of the articles from the innermost table onto the fixed table.

ROBERT BROOKS TAYLOR. 

